In 1996, the Initiative Foundation of Little Falls partnered with the MN Design Team to create a “Shared Vision” for Avon which included a community center.

In 2004, the Initiative Foundation met with the Avon community to go through a visioning session of what the people would like to see in Avon.  The result was a community center being a priority right behind a grocery store.

In 2006, a Strategic planning workshop was held with the Avon City Council, EDA and members of the city staff to build a consensus on what the city’s main objective’s will be for the coming years.  A community center again ranked high on the group’s list.

In 2009, the Initiative Foundation came back to Avon to do a follow-up session.

In 2015, the second visioning survey was held.  The Avon community residents at the meeting voted for a community center as the number one priority followed by upgrading and maintain streets in second place.

In 2018, the Initiative Foundation conducted the “Hometown Turnaround” project.  The need for a community center ranked high on the list.

In 2019, the Over the Hills of Avon Seniors began to promote the need for a community center for Avon.  They conducted a mass mailing with the purpose of identifying needs in the Avon area. The mailing included all rural mail routes of Avon.  A ranking list was developed and the need for a community center was identified.  As a result of this survey, the Over the Hills Seniors decided that an effort to raise funds to build a community center be undertaken. An application for a 501c3 non-profit status was sought and received from the IRS. An Avon Community Center board was formed to solicit funds, grants and in-kind services from potential donors.

In 2020, Dahlins Grocery Store on Avon Ave became available. Over the Hills of Avon seniors looked at this building as a possible location for a community center.  A floor plan was developed for the building showing it was a viable concept.  The city did not favor a non-profit entity on main street with limited parking for the building.

In 2021, Over the Hills of Avon seniors were offered the possibility of using St. Benedicts Church Parish School.  The church council wanted to lease the space for a community center once remodeling was completed.  A working agreement could not be agreed upon with the church council at that time.

In 2022, the city council decided that a possible building spot for a new community center would be the Lions Park Shelter.  The shelter was in need of upgrades which the Lions nor the city were prepared to do.  On October 3, 2022 the city council voted to designate the Lions Park site the preferred location for a community center. A feasibility study was required to proceed.

In 2023, Over the Hills of Avon Seniors hired Visible City, St. Paul to do a feasibility study.  The findings of the study showed that the conditions in and around Avon were supportive of a community center based upon their evaluation. In December 2023 a mass mailing was sent out for the first time to all residents of the Avon area to solicit donations for the building of a community center.

By 2024, floor plans were developed to build a 100-foot by 60-foot facility.  Further plans were on hold until the Avon Fire Dept finished building the addition to the Fire Hall.  In the meantime, the seniors continued fall fundraising with a 2nd mass mailing.

In August 2025, St. Benedicts Catholic Church offered to gift the St. Benedict’s Parish School building and surrounding property for a community center to the City of Avon, coordinated through Fr. Edward Vebelun; with the hopes that the Over the Hills of Avon Seniors would fundraise, remodel and help to initially operate it.  The appraisal of the school was valued between $10-$12 million in replacement cost.  Discussion with the city followed for several months.

In 2026, a public meeting was held for input on whether or not this was in the best interest of Avon.  At the June City Council meeting a vote was taken and it was approved contingent upon review of the city attorney. A special city council meeting was held on Monday, June 29 where the City Attorney provided his input and Dan Zimmermann (representing the Over the Hills of Avon Seniors) provided his input.  After much discussion, the City voted in favor of the transition from St. Benedicts Catholic Church to the City of Avon, provided the Over the Hills of Avon Seniors provide a reserve fund of $100,000.00 to the city. Paperwork was completed and the reserve fund was established on June 30th, 2026.

St. Benedicts Catholic Church constructed the original 2 story brick school in 1909. The building and playground belonged to the parish and were rented to the school district.  The southside of the school, facing the parking lot was added on in 1974 with the northside of the school, along the street was added in 1987.  The Avon/Albany Public Schools built a new elementary school in 1996-1997.  The school continued to serve the parish with Faith Formation classes.  Today the facility houses a Montessori on Main School and the Avon Food Shelf.  The gymnasium is used year-round.

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